In Bhopal Law Students Accuse Teacher Of Sexual Misconduct, Probe Ordered: Report

A group of 20 students of the National Law Institute University of Bhopal met the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan on March 11 to raise the allegation of sexual misconduct against an assistant professor. With regards to the case, Chouhan has instructed an inquiry.

The students have accused assistant professor Tapan Mohanty, allegedly sent lewd messages and videos to several female students of the university, of sexual misconduct. Recently, the students had even gheraoed the professor and demanded his resignation. After which, Mohanty was asked to resign by Vice-Chancellor V Vijaykumar.

However, the students have demanded an inquiry into the allegation by judge Girijabala Singh, who used to be the registrar of the university. Today, the students met Chouhan with their demands. The CM has ordered an inquiry into it by the Director-General of Police (DGP) Sudheer Kumar Saxena and Commissioner of Bhopal Makrand Deoskar.

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Bhopal Teacher Sexual Misconduct

Chouhan also said, "Misbehaviour with students will not be tolerated and the matter will also be discussed with the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court."

The Indian Express quoted a senior state government official and stated that apart from the lewd messages from Mohanty, the students complained to the CM that he would allegedly ask students from different states to bring him "gifts."

The students have agreed on filing a formal complaint. Reportedly, a First Information Report (FIR) will be filed in the matter soon.

Giving his side of the argument, Mohanty told the Indian Express that over two-and-a-half years now, classes are being held online. "Then how is it that I made these remarks? And if these complaints are from two and a half years ago, why was the complaint not raised earlier? Also, if I have sent any kind of lewd message or asked students for anything, they can submit proof of it. Let an inquiry be conducted into the matter. I am willing to face any inquiry and have also submitted my resignation. But the manner in which it has been done is arbitrary."

(Feature Image Credit: Free Press Journal)